Description

Silvia Ana L is designed and built by Bazan (Izar), Spain’s premier shipyard at the time of the vessel’s delivery. Built to Det Norske Veritas Class DNV + 1A1 HSLC R1 Passenger Car Ferry A E0 and delivered in October 1997, Silvia Ana L is officially listed today as the world’s:

• Largest aluminium monohull high speed craft
• Second (2nd) largest monohull high speed craft
• Fourth (4th) largest high speed craft by overall length and
• Fourth (4th) largest high speed craft by passenger capacity

The construction of Silvia Ana L followed the delivery by Bazan of three smaller Mestral Class sisterships with similar characteristics such as; high speed, deep-V hull form, all aluminum construction and powered by conventional medium speed diesel engines.

Longitudinally, Silvia Ana L is divided into nine watertight compartments under the vehicle deck. In its current configuration, Silvia Ana L has a five deck configuration offering capacity for 1250 passengers on two decks, 238 cars (or 217 cars + 4 coaches) on two decks and a separate bridge deck above the passenger deck.

The two passenger decks offer tremendous panoramic views throughout the crossing, together with large central shopping areas, bars and other amenities.

The vehicle decks have two Kvaerner stern doors/ramps, one ramp can load/discharge from the main vehicle deck while the other is used for the upper vehicle deck. A drive around system enables the cars to board through one door and disembark through the other. A full turnaround can be achieved in 35 minutes.

Silvia Ana L is powered by six Caterpillar 3616 medium speed engines each rated at 5,650 kW. The engines are located in two engine rooms (three abreast) with the four outboard engines driving KaMeWa 112 SII steering and reversing waterjets through a Reintjes VLJ 5520 gearbox. The two inboard engines are linked to a KaMeWa 140 BII booster waterjet through a Reintjes DVLJ 5530 gearbox. Applied Composites (composite) shafts facilitate weight savings over steel shafts of around 12 tonnes and Geislinger composite couplings link them. Two 25kN contra-rotating bow thrusters can be used when maneuvering. Seakeeping is optimized by a Maritime Dynamics Inc (Vosper Thornycroft) ride control system featuring two 2m² nylon stabilizer fins and two 4.5m² trim tabs. Auxiliary power is supplied by Caterpillar three (3) 3412T diesel engines driving three (3) 437kVA generators.

Notable features of Silvia Ana L include:

• A top speed of 42 knots and a service speed of 38 knots
• Shallow draft (only 2.44 metres)
• Interior designed by Arquitecto Julio Cesar Ortega
• Three (3) First Class saloons on the upper passenger deck with a total of 422 seats
• Four (4) Economy Class saloons with a total of 828 seats
• 400 m2 Duty free shop
• 5 bars/cafes
• Children’s play room
• AAB turbine package completely overhauled by Siemens, Sweden (not operated since)
• Capacity for 238 cars (or 4 coaches and 217 cars)

Throughout its service life, Silvia Ana L has operated very successfully on the following routes:
• Skagerrak (Kristiansand, Norway to Hirtshalls, Denmark) – 7 seasons
• River Plate (Buenos Aires, Argentina to Montevideo/Colonia, Uruguay)

Specification